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"But the learning Pages of Latin by heart, no more fits the Memory for Retention of any thing else, than the graving of one Sentence in Lead makes it the more capable of retaining firmly any other Characters. "

— Locke, John (1632-1704)

Author

Locke, John (1632-1704)

Work Title

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

Printed for A. and J. Churchill

Date

1693

Metaphor

"But the learning Pages of Latin by heart, no more fits the Memory for Retention of any thing else, than the graving of one Sentence in Lead makes it the more capable of retaining firmly any other Characters. "

Metaphor in Context

§. 176. I hear it's said, That Children should be imploy'd in getting things by heart, to exercise and improve their Memories. I could wish this were said with as much Authority of Reason, as it is with forwardness of Assurance, and that this practice were established upon good Observation, more than old Custom. For it is evident, that strength of Memory is owing to an happy Constitution, and not to any habitual Improvement got by Exercise. 'Tis true, what the Mind is intent upon, and, for fear of letting it slip, often imprints afresh on it self by frequent reflection, that it is apt to retain, but still according to its own natural strength of retention. An impression made on Bees-wax or Lead will not last so long as on Brass or Steel. Indeed, if it be renew'd often, it may last the longer; but every new reflecting on it is a new impression, and 'tis from thence one is to reckon, if one would know how long the Mind reteins it. But the learning Pages of Latin by heart, no more fits the Memory for Retention of any thing else, than the graving of one Sentence in Lead makes it the more capable of retaining firmly any other Characters. If such a sort of Exercise of the Memory were able to give it Strength and improve our Parts, Players of all other People must needs have the best Memories, and be the best Company. But whether the Scraps, they have got into their Head this way, makes them remember other things the better; and whether their Parts be improved proportionably to the Pains they have taken in getting by heart others Sayings, Experience will shew. Memory is so necessary to all Parts and Conditions of Life, and so little is to be done without it, that we are not to fear it should grow dull, and useless for want of Exercise, if Exercise would make it grow stronger. But I fear this Faculty of the Mind is not capable of much help and amendment in general by any Exercise or Endeavour of ours, at least not by that used upon this pretence in Grammar Schools. And if Xerxes was able to call every common Soldier by Name in his Army, that consisted of no less than an Hundred thousand Men, I think it may be guessed, he got not this wonderful Ability by learning his Lessons by heart when he was a Boy. This method of exercising and improving the Memory by toilsom Repetitions without Book of what they read, is, I think, little used in the Education of Princes, which if it had that Advantage is talked of, should be as little neglected in them as in the meanest School-boys: Princes having as much need of good Memories as any Men living, and have generally an equal share in this Faculty with other Men; though it has never been taken care of this way. What the Mind is intent upon, and careful of, that it remembers best, and for the Reason above-mentioned: To which, if Method and Order be joyn'd, all is done, I think, that can be, for the help of a weak Memory; and he that will take any other way to do it, especially that of charging it with a train of other Peoples words, which he that learns cares not for, will, I guess, scarce find the Profit answer half the Time and Pains imploy'd in it.
(p. 133)